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Shutter Speed for a Bird

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    Shutter Speed for a Bird

    The photo I took of a Blackbird in my garden I used a shutter speed of 1/800

    Looking a bird photos on Flickr some use a shutter of around 1/400, 1/500 and others use up to 1/2000.

    Which is the best for a bird that is stood on a fence?
    Railway Photography - Steam Train Photos

    #2
    Re: Shutter Speed for a Bird

    There are a few factors to consider , for example are you hand holding or is the camera on a tripod which allows for much lower shutter speeds as it greatly reduces the risk of camera shake and other movement , For static subjects I have shot birds at 1/100th of a second and lower when using a tripod . As a general rule of them it recommended when hand holding that your shutter speed should not be less than the focal length of your lens ie if you are shooting with a 400mm lens shutter speed should not be less than 1/400th however this is guidance only. The other factor to bear in mind is if you are anticipating the bird flying at some point and you are hoping to capture that shot then you would need a higher shutter speed to try and ensure you capture the flight shot .
    Subject to the light at the time I aim for a shutter speed of 1/800th min and more if its a fast flying bird ( up to 1/4000 for something like a swift) for that very reason as wildlife is unpredictable, but strictly static shots 1/400 or less would be perfectly acceptable.
    Steve ( LSINWP )
    1DX, and 7D2 ,500mmf4mkii, 300mmf2.8, 400mm f5.6 , 100mm - 400mmmk2 ,70-200mm f2.8 ,24-105mm f4, 100mm f2.8 macro , 1.4x converter, 2x converter and a big dose of luck !!

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      #3
      Re: Shutter Speed for a Bird

      The comments Steve has made are very good guidelines as always there are exceptions because of circumstance.

      The image of goldcrest https://flic.kr/p/AbUT71 was shot at 600mm and 1/60 second.

      For bird photography considering the aperture and ISO I want to use I like to keep the shutter speed as high as possible ideally 1/1000 sec.
      Canon 5D3, 7D2, 60D, Canon 70-200L f2.8 IS II, Canon 300 f4L IS, Canon 16-35 f4 L, Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, Canon 1.4 MkIII extender, Sigma AF 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM, Sigma 150-600 Contemporary, Tamron SP AF 70-300 F/4-5.6 Di VC USD, Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS
      https://www.flickr.com/photos/16830751@N03/

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        #4
        Re: Shutter Speed for a Bird

        Many thanks for your help.
        Railway Photography - Steam Train Photos

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